Fundamentalism, Geology Meet At the Grand Canyon
SourceARIZONA, U.S.A., January 7, 2004: Most scientists agree that the Grand Canyon–a 10-mile wide chasm in northern Arizona–was carved by the Colorado river 5 million to 6 million years ago, says this article in the LA Times. Now a book in the National Park’s bookstore tells another story. “Grand Canyon: A Different View,” by Colorado River guide Tom Vail, asserts…
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Ransacked
SourcePUNE, INDIA, January 6, 2004: Members of the Sambhaji Brigade ransacked the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute last Monday. The vandalism was provoked by a book written by James Laine on the Hindu King in India during Islamic domination named Shivaji. The article says, “It is not known which specific passages provoked the group.” However when the Sambhaji Brigade consisting of…
Interview with Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, December 31, 2003: The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is all set to open its temple in Bangalore. This will be followed by the setting up of the Akshardham in the next few years, like the Akshardham in Gandhinangar (Gujarat), which is huge teaching display on the history and philosophy of the denomination. Head of BAPS his…
Misuse of Funds Charged at Famed Ganesha Temple
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, January 6, 2004: Devotees lining up at the Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, are receiving a pamphlet distributed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The pamphlet says the temple’s funds are being systematically diverted to private trusts run by ministers in the state government and state officials. The state government controls the Siddhivinayak Temple trust, which is the state’s second…
Rudraksha Bead Sales Brisk at NRI Convention in Delhi
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 10, 2004: NRIs (non-resident Indians) and PIOs (persons of Indian origin) who have come to India to attend the second Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations are thronging the Rudra Centre gallery at Vigyan Bhavan, to buy rudrakshas, the seed of the Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Roxb tree and sacred to Lord Siva. Rudraksha specialist Kamal Narayan Seltha says that…
Call for Hindu Lay Religious Leaders for US Military
SourceUSA, January 10, 2003: HPI received the following article and request from Chaturbhuj N. Gidwani. Gidwani, who is attached to US forces in Okinawa, Japan, has campaigned for years to establish a Hindu chaplain in the US military. There are presently Buddhist and Muslim chaplains serving, and as yet, no Hindu chaplain. However, there is an intermediate position, that of…
Replica of Tirupati temple in South Africa
SourceJOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, January 2004: A replica of the famed Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh is being built in an Indian township in South Africa. The Transvaal Andhra Sabha saw a 27-year-old dream reach fruition when the foundation-laying ceremony of its temple took place in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg. Founded in 1976, the members of the small but dedicated community…
Diversity Champions to Receive King Honors
SourceSCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, January 10, 2004: The son of migrant workers who now helps the underserved and uninsured get services, and Hindu twins who created a program to teach tolerance, will be honored Monday, January 12, as Diversity Champions. The awards will be presented at the 10th annual Scottsdale Community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration. Meghan and Manali Bhave,…
Efforts Being Made to Revitalize India’s Famed Marwari Horse
SourceJODHPUR, INDIA, January 3, 2004: The most famous Marwari horse was Chetak who saved the life of Maharana Pratap, one of the great military heros of Hinduism. It is counted among one of the many gifts from the Gods brought forth at the “churning of the ocean” — and was originally equipped with wings. But this courageous breed is now…